Announcing their highly anticipated return, The Heavy North are making their most daring move yet with brand new single, Heavy, released on the 1 May.
Made up of Kenny Stuart, Jose Ibanez, Jack Birch, George Favager, Mark Rice, and Ste Penn, The Heavy North are one of Merseyside’s more distinctive rising bands. A Blues Rock band, formed in late 2018, the group gained recognition for their eclectic blend of influences, combining rock, blues and soul.
Their critically acclaimed debut studio album, Electric Soul Machine, was released in 2022, gaining them significant interest and cementing their sound of powerful drums, contending guitars and fuzzed-up keys.
Since then, The Heavy North have been continually honing their skills and have produced two further albums, Delta Shakedown (2023) and Fire In The Furnace (2024). Completing this catalogue with an array of singles, EPs and live recordings, the band have been working hard on their craft.
Their success is evident through their chart accomplishments, with their sophomore album reaching #10 on the Official UK Independent Album Chart, and their live album achieving #2 on the Official UK Jazz & Blues Album Chart.
This continual pursuit of their passion has gained them attention from a range of media and print outlets, including BBC Radio 2, Radio X and Classic Rock Magazine, to name a few.
Having performed live across the UK over the past year, including iconic venues such as London’s 100 Club and Liverpool’s Cavern Club, has kept The Heavy North’s momentum up, leaving fans eagerly awaiting new music.
Heavy marks the band’s first release in over two years, as they return with a ferocious new single and a slightly different line-up, with bassist George Favager joining the band. Keyboard player Ste Penn features on Heavy, adding unique layers to the track, but has officially stepped back from the band in recent years.
Recorded in Granada, Spain, last year at the home of The Heavy North’s guitarist and producer, Jose Ibanez, Heavy is a creative and thoughtfully constructed track. Consisting of the band’s main line-up, Heavy also features backing vocalists and long-term collaborators Molly Fryo and Rosalie Galvin.
The single opens with distorted keys, setting Heavy up as an extraordinary and innovative track. Quickly followed by lively drums and battling guitars, The Heavy North’s distinctive blend of different styles and mediums is evident from the get-go.
Heard throughout the track is Jack Birch’s screeching slide guitar, which adds to the song’s heavy elements, alongside the solid rhythm section, reflecting the title. As the track lulls during the verses to accentuate frontman Kenny Stuart’s unstoppable vocals, the build towards the chorus makes it even more explosive.
Adding depth to Heavy is the guitar solo, which blends seamlessly with the remarkable nature of the track. The layered harmonies are a significant addition to the final chorus of the single, finishing it on a powerful note.
This latest release is a firm reminder that The Heavy North are a band are here to stay, having already reached over 1,500 listens. Celebrating their return, the band will be playing Archive Liverpool, Liverpool, in September, headlining in their hometown.
A culmination of hard work, exceptional skill and diverse elements, Heavy is available to listen to now on all download and streaming platforms.
Follow @theheavynorthofficial on Instagram for updates.
